COLUMBIA, S.C. – Saturday's Benedict College football game can easily be summed up in one word: Homecoming. The one game a year that brings in a large crowd of alumni to tailgate, fellowship and cheer on their Tigers.

Or perhaps that one word is: Morehouse. Benedict's top rival on the SIAC Eastern side and a team that has been highly ranked all season. This is a showdown both sides have eagerly been anticipating.

However you want to describe it, the hype for Saturday's 2 p.m. kickoff against the Maroon Tigers is at epic proportions. Benedict is 5-1, and on a five-game winning streak. Morehouse is 6-1, having their six-game winning streak snapped last week by Albany State and now the Maroon Tigers are eager to bounce back. Morehouse brings in the SIAC's top-rated offense, while Benedict will counter with one of the league's top defenses.

Benedict, with a 3-0 conference record, has a goal of their first SIAC championship in school history. Morehouse, 2-1 in the SIAC, is still hoping to stay in the hunt for a championship, but can't afford another loss.

"It's probably the biggest game we've played here in some time," said Benedict head coach Mike White. "I can't remember a game with this much at stake – Homecoming, a big conference matchup with a team that's playing extremely well."

The game will be streamed by flofootball here ($19.99 for monthly subscription). Live stats are available here. Tickets are $30 each.

Morehouse leads the SIAC in scoring offense (30.3 points per game) and total offense (379.6 yards per game), despite being held to a season-low 235 total yards of offense last week against Albany State, including just 34 yards on the ground. Earlier this season, Morehouse rushed for 305 yards in a win over Division I SWAC member Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Sophomore Santo Dunn leads the SIAC in rushing at 95.9 yards per game. Morehouse also ranks second in the SIAC in passing offense at 214 yards per game, while sophomore quarterback Michael Sims leads the league in passing yards (203.1 yards per game).

White knows the Maroon Tigers will provide a formidable test for the Benedict defensive unit.

"They are very explosive," White said. "They can throw it and run it. They're going to stretch you horizontally and vertically, too. They've got the best offense in the conference. You're going to have to limit them."

Benedict and Morehouse have a history of close, tough games. Benedict spoiled Morehouse's Homecoming last year in Atlanta, 29-26 in double overtime when Tory Mimbs kicked a career-long 43-yard game-winning field goal. Benedict won their 2016 Homecoming game against Morehouse 13-10, blocking a Morehouse field goal with 38 seconds left to secure the win.

"Last year was a tough game that went to overtime, and the year before that we had to block a kick to win," White said. "I expect a similar game Saturday. I think Morehouse will come in fired up and ready to go. Now that they have lost a game, they're probably going to be on fire. We've got to be ready, because they're going to play lights out. It's going to be a typical East Division SIAC battle."

The Tigers will be looking to get back to their typical defensive dominance after the Clark Atlanta Panthers riddled the Tigers for 412 yards passing and 482 yards of total offense in last week's contest. Despite those numbers, Benedict still ranks second in the SIAC and seventh nationally in total defense (254.8 yards per game), and first in the SIAC and second nationally in rushing defense (67.3 yards per game).

"I think our guys are in good shape mentally and ready to give it their best effort," White said. "I think it's a game that's going to boil down to the little things, the little details, taking care of the football, and who can make the most explosive plays. I think those are the keys to the game."

The game has special meaning because of Homecoming and the players wanting to play well in front of the large crowd.

"It's a special time for the school," White said. "It's a special time for our program and our seniors. So you want to play extremely well for your fans and supporters, some who haven't seen you play all year. So this is a big contest. There's no game like Homecoming. It's a special, special day."